Ness Joins Bipartisan Effort to Lower Excessive Vehicle Trailer Registration Fees

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, is working to reverse the increase in license plate fees for small trailers, having supported legislation that would reduce the annual registration fee from $118 to $36. 

“I have heard from many individuals in our community who were very frustrated when the state increased the trailer registration fee dramatically,” said Ness. “This increase largely affected local drivers, small businesses and many individuals who may only be using their personal small trailers two to three times a year, making this fee even more unreasonable for people to rationalize.”

Ness is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 58, which reduces the annual registration fee for trailers that carry lightweight items like boats or riding lawn mowers from the current $118 to $36. Prior to Ness coming into office, lawmakers in the General Assembly approved a $100 increase in 2019 as part of a plan to help fund capital projects, despite overwhelming opposition from local residents. According to the Secretary of State, there were 150,000 fewer trailer license applicants last year compared to the year previous. Ness’ measure passed unanimously out of both the House and the Senate and will be sent to the governor for consideration.

“Families are already inundated with countless fees and tax hikes, and with financial burdens still lingering from the pandemic, our job in the state legislature is to cut certain costs that are causing hardships to communities to provide relief for middle-class families,” said Ness. “It was no question for me to support this measure to roll back this increase and I encourage the governor to sign it into law.”